Port Ellen 30 Years Old 1982 Old & Rare The Platinum Selection (Douglas Laing)

Douglas Laing bottled this Port Ellen single malt, a 30 year old from 1982 and bottled at 51.8%. A release of 154 bottles. Port Ellen was dating to 1825 on the Kildalton shore of Islay and brought to a halt in 1983. Its last casks were laid down in 1983, a finite legacy ever since.

Distilled in onion shaped copper pot stills on Leorin Lochs water, yielding the poised, maritime smoke of classic Port Ellen. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood holding back so the peat speaks. Decades have eased the peat to a soft reek over beeswax and old oak. Refill wood flatters Port Ellen, holding back the vanilla so the smoke and citrus speak. Long island ageing lends a saline thread to the deep smoke. The closed years only deepened the legend around the malt. A whisky measured now in dwindling casks rather than fresh spirit. Smoke, salt and citrus mark it out from its Islay neighbours.

At cask strength 51.8% it is muscular. Lemon zest and coastal salt ride on a smoky, mineral note, with a whisper of coconut from the cask. It is structured and a touch austere, the refill oak keeping it lean. Salt, smoke and wax draw out the close. This is a finite pour from Islay's most mourned distillery.